Zippy_McSpeed

Is there another ZWO cam you'd suggest, or one from another maker that'll work fine with the ASIAIR?

Hey, guys So wifey and I are nearing 50 and in need of a relaxing hobby together and she's also down with the astrophotography idea. I don't care about just looking though the eyepiece like on a Dobsonian, so the photography part is what's interesting. Cost isn't really an issue, but I don't want to waste it either. We're both tech nerds (computer science degrees), so the technical learning curve should be manageable but I still want it to be as simple as possible. I've done a bunch of homework but would like someone to check my math and tell me what I've overlooking. Here's the kit I think looks good and the reasons for each bit. Correct me where I'm wrong and fill in any gaps if you wouldn't mind! Telescope: Askar FRA 300 Pro https://agenaastro.com/askar-60mm-f-5-quintuplet-petzval-flat-field-astrograph-fra300.html I understand this will be a wide field of view for large things like Andromeda, groups of nebulae, etc which seems like a reasonable start before adding longer scopes later The reason I like this is, since the flattener is built in, it eliminates that whole issue and I can skip fiddling with focus after adding the external flattener. Should just screw on and focus with the knobs. As far as I can tell, it's the only APO triplet scope with built-in flattener. The Redcats are doubles and not much cheaper, if any. They have a 400mm version for ~$200 more. How much would I appreciate the extra 100mm? And if I add longer scopes later, will I actually prefer having the wider field of view on the 300? Mount: Celestron Advanced VX: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/917599?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuuKXBhCRARIsAC-gM0j8jUZe7r1v8FrE0FitsLneKvk49Q7yU2JwFGmRCD6bZOJDcHRbdvMaAv21EALw_wcB It seems to be the most reasonably priced mount with a 30-pound payload. Seems like one of the $500 ones would be obsolete the minute I bought a bigger scope, so I don't really see how to spend less than $1k on a mount and if I'm gonna do that, might as well go for 30 lbs instead of 22 or whatever. I'd like to eventually be able to shoot planets reasonably well with the same 30-pound mount. Is that feasible, or will that require a really big mount? Since the ASAIR already does the GOTO function, is there anyone making a beefy mount without the GOTO bits? I'm not finding any. Any comments on a saving $200 on a refurb from B&H? ASAIR Plus + guide scope/cam https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asiair-plus?attribute_asiair-plus=ASIAIR+PLUS%2BASI120MINI%2B30F4 Looks like this thing greatly simplifies the whole process and I want to struggle as little as possible getting started. Camera: ZWO 183 Pro Color https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi183mc-pro-color I've checked CCD/scope suitability here - 1.83"/pixel resolution https://astronomy.tools/calculators/ccd_suitability Since the ASAIR already automates everything, including a monochrome cam and filter ring, would I be better off jumping straight to monochrome? If so, how much do I need to spend on filters to not degrade what this scope/camera combo can do? I live in a suburb of a mid-sized American city so the mono would be better for shooting from the back yard because filters, but I also don't mind driving an hour to a bortle 4 area or 2-3 to bortle 3 when I want really good photos. Auto-focuser: ZWO https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/eaf-5v might as well since the ASAIR can automate it for me Power station: Jackery 240Wh https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Portable-Power-Station-Generator/dp/B07D29QNMJ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1IQ7WOWTZRLGR&keywords=jackery+power+station&qid=1660505613&sprefix=jackery+power+station%2Caps%2C67&sr=8-4 I haven't bothered to figure out how to calculate this. Who's used one of these and can talk about appropriate capacity? I won't need multi-night capability for quite a while, if ever. What else do I need to consider? Thanks for any help!